One night in brooklyn?

Friends have offered to take us out to dinner anywhere we want to go, with the one stipulation being that such restaurant is in Brooklyn. (offer excludes brooklyn fare and roberta's tasting menu) I am thinking either Prime Meats, Vinegar Hill House, Convivium Osteria or Saul. Any of these stand out, or is there something I am totally missing? Thanks!

I am not a fan of Vinegar Hill. The others are fine, but my choice would be Locanda Vini e Olii. It is Tuscan restaurant in an old pharmacy (in a residential area). Just unexpected and a place I'd take non Brooklynites to experience something special.

Convivium Osteria is absolutely wonderful, and the cuisine style is great for this time of year - hearty, big flavors.

Prime Meats I'm not such a fan of. Eaten there a few times and found it fine - the kind of place if I lived in the neighborhood I'd hit now and then, but nothing i'd go out of the way for. Same could be said about VHH - though their pork chop is pretty great, it's nothing i couldn't make at home.

If you're a fan of game, I'd add Henry's End to your possibles list. This is the time of year to hit them - winter, when there's a full wild game menu in addition to their normal menu. Their Elk Chops are legendary, the turtle soup the best i've had in NYC, solid game pates, and their ducklings always extraordinary (the raspberry is always good, or any specials with seasonal fruit - I'd skip the mushroom version, as I find it a bit too heavy) - also, a great all-American wine list. A neighborhood classic, popular with those "in the know" foodies who've been around since before the hipsterfying of Brooklyn. Not that Brooklyn Heights ever got very hip. Was just there the other night, had a wonderful wild game cassoulet with a great Sinsky Cab (though the wine we should have opened during the apps to drink with the entrees - needed a bit of time to open up...)

Also, it's a short walk to Henry Public for excellent after-dinner cocktails, if you're so inclined.

sgordon hits it right on the money with every word of this post, echoing just about everything I was going to suggest about Henry's End. Particularly if you haven't been, it's a great one.

Also agree on Prime Meats - nothing wrong with it, but if I'm going to go to lower Court street I'd prefer Buttermilk Channel. Vinegar Hill is good, but I find it hard to get over the lines and the snotty seating process.

If you're looking for something a little newer-feeling and hipper (which your possibles suggest you aren't), also consider Colonie, which is our favorite in the 'hood right now.

And lastly, no discussion of one-night-in-Brooklyn is complete without two of the greatest hits: River Cafe has Manhattan views unmatched, though the food as you'll read on this board doesn't quite match up. And lastly, Peter Luger is not the worst place to be treated to a meal.

Well gosh, now i feel horrible for setting forth a dated list. Was in no way intending to be anti-hip or geriatric with my choices -- they simply betray my limitations when it comes to dining outside of Manhattan. (Though I am slowly but surely trying to rectify this.) So please, don't hold out on hipper restaurants :)

i really like the henry's end idea as i am a huge game lover, but not sure my dining companions are as adventurous -- is the rest of the menu worthwhile?

edit: and i have been to luger numerous times, but otherwise a good option.

Actually, I don't think your list was dated at all. Certainly Prime Meats and VHH are both still on the "cool kids" list. And like I said earlier, HE is kind of a "pre-hipster" place, so it's even less hip than your suggestions.

The menu is pretty extensive - and it's the kind of place that would act as a great introduction to game for those who are wary, if they want to try some of those offerings. If not, there are dozens of other things to choose from - he actually does great work with tuna and salmon, for the fish lovers. The elk chops will appeal to anyone who just likes a big ol' steak, they're actually quite mild - less gamey than, say, a typical lamb chop, and presented simply with a mustard sauce to let the protein shine. But that said, there are some great regular beef offerings as well - a classic Steak Diane, and a spice-crusted steak that's fantastic. The duckling, a thing of beauty.

Food is prepared very simply, though, letting the ingredients shine. That fried chicken is just that - a plate of fried chicken and nothing else. The duckling usually has only two ingredients - some seasonal fruit, and a duck. There are some side dishes - seasonal veggies and such - that can be ordered to round it out, though.

Also, if Bonnie is working, she's the greatest waitress in the entire city of New York.

Not only is Bonnie the greatest waitress in the city of New York (I might actually define a broader area), it's a pleasure to see someone who enjoys her job so much! We love Henry's End and we love Bonnie! I believe she's only there Thursday through Sunday, but Albert does a great job as well, and all the servers are helpful and friendly.

I heartily endorse the turtle soup, and agree with the assessment that there's much there for everyone to love. It's a broad menu, and there are always interesting specials, both part of the game festival and not.

Yeah, I didn't mean to suggest that your choices are un-hip. All quality places, to be sure.

Henry's End has a pretty extensive menu and it's far from all game. Their andouille sausage with mustard is excellent and my usual appetizer. Also be aware the entrees generally come with a basic salad and a little rice and vegetables, nothing inspiring. The main dish is the main deal here. I don't think you'll be sorry. Damn, I need to get back there.

Actually, I'm not a fan of Buttermilk Channel, though I do admit the fried chicken is pretty darn wonderful. I've been there a few times and the food is okay, but not worth the trek. Chestnut and Grocery are better and less of a walk. I prefer Prime Meats, though I admit I like their drinks, especially the punch - good stuff.

What about Al Di La?

Also, I don't know about Saul. Even though the food is mostly well made, especially the seafood dishes, I feel like the restaurant tries to cover too much of a range - from Asian-style dishes (think soy sauce) to very Mediterranean/Italian dishes (gnocchi and beautifully poached fish). My friends and I were surprised and dumbfounded by the weird range, especially for an established restaurant. We felt like Saul was in the middle of a personality disorder. However if you do go, you have to get the baked alaska for dessert.

I think Battersby is excellent. The dishes are creative, down to earth and consistently delicious. The chefs are alums from Essex House and Anella, and make it a point to be the kitchen team every night - plus the staff is very kind and competent. Whenever I go, I feel there's a lot of care put into my meal.

They don't take reservations, but you can wait at their bar - which has excellent cocktails - or leave your number so you can grab a drink elsewhere until they call you. I saw you weren't interested in a chef's table situation, but they do offer that there as well in case you change your mind on that.

i'm a big fan of prime meats and buttermilk channel, so there! the sausages and the steaks at prime meats are awesome, their drinks are great, and it's always a fun time.

i actually think buttermilk channel is better for brunch than dinner.

battersby is a great rec, as is the grocery, colonie, and al di la. i found the food to be borderline inedible at chestnut (and their c rating doesn't help). colonie is pretty great (and then you can go to either floyd for a beer or henry public for great cocktails).

a little further out is the good fork in red hook, which i think is a very good restaurant with interesting food.